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450nm Blues

One of my colleagues at work came up with a clever and funny title for a song called the “450nm Blues” (it is a free download in the New Song section). I decided to write a song using this as the title and “inspiration” from it. The title is referring to the solid state devices used in the new solid states lamps and bulbs by many companies. The “blue” light emitting diodes are combined with special phosphor materials to make white light. I personally have worked on these designs and even hold several patents in this field. So you probably can guess where I stand on this from the lyrics. The “House of Reps” reference refers to a June 5, 2012 vote that “prohibit the government from enforcing federal lightbulb standards that Republicans say are too intrusive.” See also House Defunds and NEMA. The last reference comes from NEMA, represent the opinion of some of the largest lamp manufacturers in the world including GE, Osram and Philips. The three companies, Cree, Osram and Lumileds referenced in the song make a substantial percentage of the world’s bright blue LEDs that are used in the solid state lamps. I have worked at least one of these companies on developing a new solid state lighting technology using what is called “remote phosphor”.

Some of the lyrics come from old famous blues songs. These include the songs “Alberta”, “Betty & Dupree” (I once opened for Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, the latter singing this song), Cocaine Bill & Morphine Sue, “Shorty George“, “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown” (by Jim Croce), “Hoochie Coochie Man“, “Corinna“, and “Brown’s Ferry Blues” (written by the Delmore Brothers). Some of the words I put into the mouth of Rush Limbaugh come from me, others from him (his stance on global warming being a hoax is well known). In any case the song is meant to be fun. I hope everyone can enjoy it whatever your political persuasion.